Learning

Live-blogging roundtable talks on anti-cloning bills tomorrow

Alex Friedrich Apr 26, 2011
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First, the video above is the intro to a short series of University of Minnesota tutorials on stem cell research.

I’m doing some prep for tomorrow’s U of M roundtable discussion on how the anti-cloning amendments going through the state legislature would affect the business community.

I hope to live-blog it at 9 a.m., so stay tuned!

Here’s the announcement from the U:

MN biomedical business leaders to discuss potential impact of anti-research bill

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (April 26, 2011) – Biomedical business leaders will gather at a roundtable event tomorrow to discuss the impact an anti-research bill would have on the Minnesota bio-business community if it passes.

The legislation – along with language now included in the omnibus higher education appropriations bill, and the omnibus health and human services finance bill – is an attack on research disguised as a prohibition on human cloning, and is rapidly moving through the Minnesota legislature. It includes language that would make one type of human embryonic stem cell research a crime.

The bill would not just ban a particular type of stem cell research. It would send a chilling message to Minnesota’s biomedical business community that special interest groups will dictate what types of research – and prospects for economic growth – are permitted.

Event Information

When and Where: 9- 10 a.m. tomorrow (April 27, 2011) at the U of M McGuire Translational Research Building, located immediately north of the TCF Bank Football stadium. Parking passes can be validated.

Who will speak:

  • Aaron Friedman, M.D., the U of M Vice President for Health Sciences and Dean of the Medical School.
  • Robert Rizza, M.D., Executive Dean for Research from the Mayo Clinic.
  • Business leaders including Doug Kohrs (Tornier), Rob Cohen (Miromatrix), and Matt Kyle (Circle Biologics).
  • U of M stem cell faculty members including Jonathan Slack (director of the Stem Cell Institute), Dan Kaufman (cancer researcher) and Meri Firpo (diabetes researcher)
  • The roundtable discussion will also open up to the media.

Roundtable discussion to also include stem cell researchers, U of M and Mayo leaders